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Performance Oversight Hearing Highlights; Next Fare DC Is Here; Reminders on Credit Card Use, Safety and Non-District Limo Permits
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Performance Oversight Hearing Highlights
In her testimony for DFHV’s Performance Oversight Hearing on February 15, Interim Director Dory Peters highlighted DFHV’s accomplishments and challenges over the last year. She explained how the industry is still working through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. In all of 2022, demand was still incredibly low; taxi and ridesharing trips were only 34% and 60% of their 2019 levels, respectively. Over the last 2 years, drivers have slowly been coming back and the District is seeing an average of 2,100 active taxi drivers; however, this is a 52% decrease in active taxi drivers since 2019. In response, DFHV is continuing to help the taxi industry recover from both the pandemic and volatile fuel costs through a $1 fuel surcharge and vehicle age waivers.
Peters also highlighted DFHV’s successful programs. Over the last year DC Neighborhood Connect expanded to serve Ivy City and Fort Lincoln. And, DC School Connect has been successfully transporting students to and from Safe Passage schools in Wards 7 and 8. The agency is also addressing driver shortages for wheelchair accessible vehicles (WAVs) by providing incentives for drivers to drive for Transport DC. Last year, we restarted the Fast Pass program to reward drivers who provide the most rides for customers using wheelchairs. And we instituted a new fee to compensate drivers for the empty leg of their trip to reach a customer who uses a wheelchair. Looking ahead, we are continuing these incentives and are evaluating what works best to encourage more drivers to drive WAVs to transport customers who use wheelchairs. Read Interim Director Peter’s Testimony.
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New Fare Map Shows Where to Find Customers
Also highlighted in Interim Director Peters’ testimony, DFHV launched a website where for-hire drivers can find the most customers. Next Fare DC uses historical trip data to show a heat map of where the most pick-ups have been at a given time of day. You can explore the data by changing the timeframe and use the hand wave button to show live taxi pickups in the last five minutes. Check it out: bit.ly/dfhvmap
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Customers who are told they can only pay in cash may file complaints with DFHV. Drivers who do not accept electronic payments are subject to fines of $100. Additionally, all taxi drivers must be using their meters. If a driver is not using their meter or their meter is not working correctly, they can be fined $500. Signs asking for cash only are also prohibited.
Non-District Limousine (NDL) permit holders
Don’t forget to use the DFHV Limo App, available for iOS and Android, when you are operating in the District. The app is a requirement and DFHV Vehicle Inspection Officers enforce its use. Have questions? Contact Karl Mohammed at karl.muhammad@dc.gov.
Protect yourself from car theft
You may have heard reports of car theft and carjackings over the last few months. Unfortunately, for-hire vehicles are often targets for this type of crime. Always be aware of your surroundings and if something doesn’t feel right, trust your instincts. Please remember that your vehicle can be replaced but you cannot. If you are in a dangerous situation, please comply and do not try to fight back. If your vehicle is stolen do not try and chase after it. Call 911 and your insurance will cover your vehicle. There are several things you can do to protect yourself from car theft.
- Always lock your car
- Never leave your vehicle idling/running unattended – even if your key fob is on you, someone can still drive off with your car until it stops, or gas runs out
- Always keep track of your keys, never leave them inside the vehicle
- Do not leave children unattended inside your vehicle
- Park in a safe spot
- Stay alert and aware of your surroundings
- If you see suspicious activity, report it anonymously by calling (202) 727-9099
· If you are a victim of a crime, report it immediately by calling 911
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Department of For-Hire Vehicles
2235 Shannon Place, SE, Suite 3001
Washington, DC 20020
202.645.7300
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